Shite first half. Better second half.
Ireland were held to a goalless draw by 10-man Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night and, with the way it ended, it feels like two points dropped.
Neil Taylor was sent off with 20 minutes remaining and that sparked a previously flat Irish side into life having played none in the first period.
It was only after the visitors were reduced to 10 men that the green jerseys tried to do anything and they almost did but left it too late. Before that, they were showing too much respect to Chris Coleman’s men.
Here’show the players fared.
Darren Randolph 6
Had a few routine saves to make, a couple of high takes and then a timely rush from his box to rescue Stephen Ward’s dodgy back pass.
Seamus Coleman 7
70 solid minutes. Saved Hendrick’s arse in the first half with a superb tackle on Gareth Bale. Bite and drive until he was stretchered off with what looked like a disgraceful tackle from the red-carded Neil Taylor. Not that any replays were shown.
John O’Shea 7
Untroubled all night. Looked sharp and on it and dug out a couple of team mates when they were guilty of some sloppy play.
Richard Keogh 6
A little shaky on the ball and hatched at a decent chance from a corner but nothing to really worry about manning his goals. Quick and alert and no nonsense.
Stephen Ward 6
Drew one of the biggest cheers of the first half when he stripped Bale of the ball with the home crowd shitting themselves. Let nothing by him although he did get away with one loose back pass. Playing some good football, this man.
Jon Walters 5
Used his arse whenever he could and was dominant in the air whenever he was sought out. Worked hard but none of the link up play that has made him so important of late.
David Meyler 7
Hard to believe that he was only brought in because McCarthy got an injury in the warm-up and he would’ve been watching Whelan playing instead of him. Tackled and harried, covered more ground than his partner and looked forward with any half chance. When he made a mistake, he was the one who atoned for it.
Glenn Whelan 6
Absolutely pointless first half. Refused to present himself or do anything positive. Came into it more in the second period. Won a free kick, splitting himself open in the process and delivered a good ball for Shane Long. Should’ve been brought off instead of Meyler though.
That bang to the head did Glenn Whelan no bother at all #IRLWAL pic.twitter.com/HqjuLwDzLT
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) March 24, 2017
Jeff Hendrick 5
Worked his arse off but it just wasn’t a great night for the Dubliner. Missed the creative lads like Brady, Arter and Hoolahan to bounce off.
James McClean 8
Brilliant. A fitting tribute to his fallen Derry men.
Sprinted around the green of Lansdowne Road like it was the only thing that mattered. Clattered red jerseys time and time again with spine-tinging tackles that rocked the stadium. Drove forward with the ball every time he got a sniff of it and whipped a couple of frightening efforts into the mixer.
All heart. We expect nothing less from this man.
Shane Long 6
Chasing scraps all night but chased and chased nonetheless.
Subs
Cyrus Christie 6
Deputised seamlessly for Coleman. He might have to do that a whole lot more for a while.
Aiden McGeady 7
Some were worried we’d be fooled again by his enigma again but his form proved valuable as he came on razor sharp and confident and really worried the Welsh defence. Could’ve done with him earlier in hindsight.
